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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter is divided into seven subsections. They are background of the study, reasons for choosing the topic, statement of problems, objectives of the
study, hypothesis, significance of the study, and outline of the report.
1.1 Background of the Study
The globalization era that demands man power with sufficient competency and professionalism has made Vocational High School so important. This
phenomenon is reflected in that many students leaving Junior High Schools enter Vocational Schools.
It goes without saying that Vocational High School has some special qualities. Firstly, the alumni that leave from this institution could meet the job
requirements in industry or company because they have certificate of Uji Kemampuan Kompetensi. With this certificate they would have a chance to get a
job easily. Secondly, the alumni could continue their study if they are qualified;
adjusted to their vocations. Hence, the teaching and learning process in Vocational High School needs
special techniques in order to achieve the necessary competencies for the students. That demand increases when there is free market in this era that makes manpower
exchange takes place rapidly. So that, the students need to master the subjects and
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skills suitable with their vocations. They also have to be good in English as an international language, which also used both in industry and business nowadays.
However, according to my observation and interview before doing this final project, the English subject in Vocational High School is still conventional,
monotonous and boring for the students. The teachers’ successful orientation is still how to deliver all materials from the occupied literature Suyatno, 2004: 2. It
potentially becomes one of the problems for them to reach the goal of the learning process.
Moreover, the situation becomes worse when the teachers rarely update the necessary skills in teaching according to the education progress. They have a
drawback to evolve teaching techniques and strategies. The result is teaching and learning process operated in an old way that generates alumni without any
sufficient competences. Another cause is the very limited chance for the teachers to join in
seminar, discussion, and training. It makes instructional processes become less innovative. This condition is usually complained especially by those who teach in
remote areas. The phenomena above are contrary to the spirit of the new curriculum
KTSP which suggests that teachers should be able to enhance their teaching strategies for the sake of the student’s competence development KTSP 2007
http:id.wikipedia.orgwikiKurikulum_Tingkat_Satuan_Pendidikan. Beside the above demand of the curriculum, the teacher’s techniques and
the students’ learning styles should be in line. Teaching and learning process
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should be able to accommodate the different and unique characteristics of the students.
Based on the above arguments, simulation would be an effective technique to solve those problems for Vocational High School. This technique would give
supporting environment for the students to elaborate themselves with their own learning styles. I focused on improving students’ speaking skill for Vocational
High School. Here, the subject of my study will be The Effectiveness of Using Simulation in Improving Students’ Speaking Skill for Vocational High School.
1.2 Reasons for Choosing the Topic
